Jannik Sinner keeps focus to fend off Alex Michelsen at US Open

• No 1 seed beats fast-rising American 6-4, 6-0, 6-2
• Italian puts doping case furore to one side successfully

Throughout the past week, as Jannik Sinner has taken his first steps toward putting the revelation of his failed doping tests behind him, the Italian has repeated in almost every appearance and interview that he is taking things match by match and day by day. He is endeavouring to focus only on the immediate task ahead, blocking out all else.

In the process, the world No 1 continues to lay the foundations for a title challenge at the US Open. On Thursday, Sinner navigated a turbulent opening set against a tricky young opponent to reach the third round with a 6-4, 6-0, 6-2 win over Alex Michelsen of the United States.